"Killian."
He stopped, the back entrance to Granny's half-open as he turned to look at her. "What?" He asked roughly, unable to hide it.
"I… Thank you. For understanding. For… giving me time," She said, folding her arms across her chest, and shifting from foot to foot in that annoying, endearing way she had when she was nervous.
Killian sighed as he pushed the door closed, moving back towards her. "I'm not giving you time, luv. If it was about you, I would have done everything in my power to get Baelfire out of the way. Old friend or not, you're a prize worth fighting for."
She pulled back from the intensity in his voice, her face showing her confusion. "Well… then… why?" She finally sputtered.
Hook pulled back, leaning against the opposite wall. "Because Henry deserves a chance to have his father in his life. No boy should have to grow up searching for the secrets to be a man from strangers. I won't do that to any lad."
"That sounds a bit personal, Killian," She said, almost flippantly, trying to hide the curiosity.
"Aye, luv. It is. My father… abandoned my brother and I when we were about Henry's age. Well, Liam was; I was a fair bit younger. And I won't have that particular stain on my conscience. If Baelfire steps up, and does right by the boy, I'll concede. But you want to know a secret, Swan?" He whispered, leaning in close.
"What?" Emma asked hesitantly, resisting the urge to pull away again.
"He won't. Whether it's temptation… the pressure… wanderlust… or just plain cowardice… They never step up for long, do they?"
This last bit was whispered into her ear, before giving her a smile, and walking back out the door.